Missions and Ministries

One way we fulfill the mission of the church is to support specific missionary families around the world. Every month on the first Sunday, we collect offerings to support these missionaries in the same service that we celebrate communion, emphasizing the way that communion unites all Christians together in Christ. In addition, we commit support in our general budget to the missionaries and ministries below.

Ukraine

George and Sarah de Vuyst

George and Sarah are missionaries with Resonate Global Mission and started working in Ukraine in 1998. Their children are Abigail, Matthew, and Elizabeth. On September 4, 2025, George and Sarah will be moving from Grand Rapids, Michigan (USA), where they went when they were displaced by the war in Ukraine, to Budapest, Hungary where they will continue to be missionaries to Ukraine. While the war continues, they will live and minister from Hungary. Living in Europe provides opportunities to minister to refugees and migrant communities across Europe, engage in local healing and reconciliation events, and build deeper connections with partners in Europe and Africa. While George continues his work with "Healing Hearts, Transforming Nations," Sarah will be volunteering with two organizations as an Education Consultant focusing on supporting students with learning differences and trauma. Their children will continue their studies in the USA.

A short woman and tall man stand side by side smiling.

Lithuania

Steve and Chris Van Zanen

After 10 years (2015-2025) of teaching theology and Bible classes and helping students develop their own faith lives at LCC International University in Lithuania, Steve and Chris have returned to Michigan. Steve continues his role as Resonate Europe team leader and will be working for Resonate in the US and Canada to rekindle a passion for mission among Resonate's supporters. Chris is maintaining ties with students and colleagues in Lithuania and will be teaching a few courses in the spring of 2026 to finish their obligations. She is also busy grandparenting their two granddaughters.

A line drawing of a mother, father, and two young children.

Middle East

Family of Four

This family is living and serving in the Middle East, focused on finding, loving, and helping those needing the healing grace of Jesus Christ.

Hope Ministries

Hope Ministries engages people in intensive and long-term relationships to build a community in which hurting people find healing. Without healing, their thinking and the choices they make will not change. And unless their thinking and choices are transformed, they will never be able to thrive in life.

St. Margaret's House

St. Margaret’s House is a day center that welcomes women and children who live in economic poverty. Providing meals, addressing immediate needs, and offering assistance through programs, St. Margaret's House works to break down barriers of isolation and discover the unique talents and gifts of everyone who walks through their doors.

You can support St. Margaret's House by donating directly from their Amazon wish list.

Young Life

Young Life invites young people to experience life as God designed it to be lived. Knowing that all kids are searching for hope, meaning, and belonging, Young Life joins them in life, accepts them as they are and gives them a chance to live life to the fullest.

Local Ministries We Support

Each Sunday we collect a second offering for a local ministry organization. Often these are organizations that we have a connection to either through joint projects or by members of the church who work or volunteer at the organization. You can read a brief description of each below, and find the schedule of the second offerings here.

The word Benevolence and a silhouette of a person helping another person up a steep slope.

Benevolence Fund

The Church of the Savior Benevolence Fund provides help for members of the church and the community with short-term urgent needs.

Covenant Christian School

Covenant is a Christian school for students pre-school through eighth grade. The school’s mission is to partner with Christian parents to equip their children to serve God in God's world by providing a Christ-centered, academically excellent education.

Food Bank of Northern Indiana

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana addresses local problems of hunger and malnutrition by providing quality food. In addition to private donations and food drives, the food bank actively partners with local and national manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, food growers, packers and brokers to procure food.

Hannah's House

Hannah’s House is a faith-based agency offering a continuum of stable housing, home life, staff support, and programming. It empowers disadvantaged pregnant women to begin a process of life transformation.

Heroes Camp

Started in 1989, Heroes Camp is one of the largest ministries for youth in the area. They help young men embrace fathering and their Heavenly Father. Through God's faithful provision, their facility and ministries now include three basketball courts, a kitchen and dining room, locker rooms, a sound studio, and even a barbershop.

Neighbor to Neighbor

Neighbor to Neighbor works to create mutual relationships among South Bend’s immigrant and non-immigrant population, through meaningful friendships and community networking.

United Religious Community (URC) Advocacy Center

The United Religious Community (URC) Advocacy Center provides limited financial assistance to St. Joseph County residents with specific needs. URC's missions is to encourage religious cooperation and understanding, effect constructive social change, and to advocate for those seeking to meet life’s basic needs.

World Renew

World Renew embraces a family-centered approach to ending global poverty with food security, peace and justice, economic livelihood and health. We join families in more than 30 developing countries to change global hunger, poverty, and illness.